5 



202 BIMACDLATED DUCK. 



purplish black, and passing upon the hind part of the neck into deep violet purple. 

 Between the bill and eyes, and behind the ear coverts, are two large irregular patches 

 of chestnut brown, margined and varied with white. Sides of the neck, and cheeks, 

 glossy duck green; the rest of the upper part of the neck, and sides of the breast, 

 reddish brown, with oval black spots. The middle part of the breast, pale reddish brown, 

 also spotted with black. Ground colour of the mantle, pale sienna yellow, undulated 

 with black lines. Scapulars the same, tipped with glossy Scotch blue. Wing coverts, 

 hair brown, the lower range having pale wood brown tips. Speculum, dark green, 

 glossed with purple. Tail, wedge-shaped, with the two middle feathers black, narrow, 

 acuminated, and much longer than the rest, which are hair brown, margined wilh white. 

 Belly and abdomen, yellowish white, with undulating black lines, most distinct upon the 

 flanks. Legs and feet, pale orange." 



The female has the "chin and throat pale buff. Head and neck, the same, but with 

 spots and streaks of black, those upon the crown of the head being larger and more 

 distinct. Lower part of the neck, and sides of the breast, pale yellowish brown, with 

 blackish brown spots. Flanks, variegated with yellowish brown, and blackish brown; 

 upper parts, blackish brown, the feathers being deeply margined with reddish white, and 

 pale yellowish brown. Lesser wing coverts, hair brown, with the lower tier deeply 

 tipped with pale reddish brown. The upper half of the speculum, green, with purple 

 reflections; the lower half, velvet black, with white tips to the feathers. Quills and 

 tail, hair brown, the latter margined with white, and reddish white. Legs, orange." — 

 Selby. 



It is stated, by Mr. W. B. Fisher, of Cambridge, that the bill and legs of Mr. Tomes' 

 specimen, a female, were bluish gray. 



The length is fifteen inches and three-quarters. Mr. Tomes' specimen measured seven- 

 teen inches and a quarter. 



